tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post2745084542170550821..comments2024-03-22T05:18:29.555-04:00Comments on Romance Bandits: A VERY SIMPLE CRIMELoucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02217492654108300014noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-80961183872086489592010-11-30T08:12:47.992-05:002010-11-30T08:12:47.992-05:00Donna, if Berkley is inviting you to functions, th...Donna, if Berkley is inviting you to functions, then you are doing much better than me--lol! My editor there is - believe it or not - Lillian Jackson Braun's longtime editor. There has been some minor controversey that Berkley Prime Crime, primarily known for cozies, would publish my odd, dark little book.<br /><br />Alright Bandits, thank you all once again for hosting me in you lair!Grant Jerkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716473051079915219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-91134997817739034682010-11-30T08:03:21.875-05:002010-11-30T08:03:21.875-05:00Hi Becke, no, I'm not a blogger. I am on faceb...Hi Becke, no, I'm not a blogger. I am on facebook if any of you guys are interested in friendship/networking.Grant Jerkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716473051079915219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-74267924647591746222010-11-30T01:10:44.185-05:002010-11-30T01:10:44.185-05:00Jo - I think it's a fine line. Personally, I...Jo - I think it's a fine line. Personally, I think not only is it expected that a dark charaacter will have true goodness at his soul in a romance - but that goodness must be foreshadowed in some way at the beginning of the novel to give the reader hope - otherwise there's a question of why a heroine would love some one so utterly dark. <br /><br />Grant - i'm published by Berkley as well. Good editors there. Hope we bump into each other at some Berkley function sometime.Donna MacMeanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10310857800824141312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-45726790953847430392010-11-29T23:39:48.909-05:002010-11-29T23:39:48.909-05:00Christie - I forgot to congratulate you on nabbing...Christie - I forgot to congratulate you on nabbing the GR. How frosty was it by you today? It was chilly but nice here in Cincinnati.Becke Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05347467350985614111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-52108711663263685442010-11-29T23:33:13.148-05:002010-11-29T23:33:13.148-05:00Grant - do you blog about developmental disabiliti...Grant - do you blog about developmental disabilities? If so, would you share the link with us?Becke Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05347467350985614111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-18892866385892016642010-11-29T20:52:39.582-05:002010-11-29T20:52:39.582-05:00Catslady, know how you're different from most ...Catslady, know how you're different from most people? You have the insight to recognize today that subconscious thing you did in the past. I think most of us are still in denial - lol.Grant Jerkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716473051079915219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-23254293655762342582010-11-29T20:47:34.743-05:002010-11-29T20:47:34.743-05:00Becke, I checked out your friends blog. Good, forw...Becke, I checked out your friends blog. Good, forward thinking stuff. <br /><br />One of the characters in A Very Simple Crime has a profound cognitive disability, and I potray it in the worst possible light. This is what I've said before about this subject and my experiences in the field--and clearly your friend belongs to the first category of folks I mention:<br /><br />The vast majority of the families that I worked with exhibited grace and strength when they had a child with significant intellectual disability. I saw them support that child through the bureaucratic maze of our educational system and on into meaningful employment and interdependence. And on occasion I saw it bring out the worst in people. The move toward segregation, seclusion, and institutionalization. And I had always wanted to explore the darker side of that a little bit.Grant Jerkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716473051079915219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-19488248247134742532010-11-29T19:45:04.701-05:002010-11-29T19:45:04.701-05:00I just went to BN.com and read more about your boo...I just went to BN.com and read more about your book. The bio there says Grant "has worked for ten years advocating for adults with developmental disabilities."<br /><br />Grant, a good friend of mine has a 35-year-old son with autism. She has fought a life-long battle as a parent and educator to give him a decent life. <br /><br />You might be interested in her blog:<br /> <br />http://climbingeverymountain.com/Becke Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05347467350985614111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-14440576669390859682010-11-29T19:36:45.330-05:002010-11-29T19:36:45.330-05:00Grant - wow, I'm hooked! This book sounds righ...Grant - wow, I'm hooked! This book sounds right up my alley. I like all kinds of mysteries, but lately I've been reading a lot of psychological thrillers. Your book sounds really dark but also intriguing. I'll definitely pick up a copy!<br /><br />KJ - thanks for asking Grant to visit!Becke Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05347467350985614111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-34888506512359073232010-11-29T19:36:32.016-05:002010-11-29T19:36:32.016-05:00I've always said you never outgrow your childh...I've always said you never outgrow your childhood. I never got along great with my father and darn if I haven't married someone just like him although it was purely subconscious at the time!catsladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06375770995988927860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-82132957223610473002010-11-29T19:11:11.263-05:002010-11-29T19:11:11.263-05:00Suzanne my first thought is that clearly the husba...Suzanne my first thought is that clearly the husband and brother were in on it together. I'm so suspicious of people.<br /><br />As for my mom, I'm sure she's read or seen a few racy things in her day - But I'm her little boy!!Grant Jerkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716473051079915219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-31370302102011164572010-11-29T19:06:03.904-05:002010-11-29T19:06:03.904-05:00Thanks PJ. And your story about the 8 year old boy...Thanks PJ. And your story about the 8 year old boy gave me the shivers. I read the book that Jeffery Dahmer's father wrote, and it broke my heart. Your story made me think about that.Grant Jerkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716473051079915219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-70389928523628267212010-11-29T18:12:17.743-05:002010-11-29T18:12:17.743-05:00I had a friend I grew up with who was murdered in ...I had a friend I grew up with who was murdered in a bizarrely gruesome murder years ago. I don't think it was ever solved. <br /><br />They looked at her husband as being involved, but his alibi was he was out wih her brother at the time.Suzanne Ferrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05761579189372602292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-64630477597474149262010-11-29T18:08:51.994-05:002010-11-29T18:08:51.994-05:00Welcome to the Lair, Grant.
Your book sounds eeri...Welcome to the Lair, Grant.<br /><br />Your book sounds eerily intriguing. Something my sister would adore. Hmmm, another Christmas present to check off my list. Thanks!!<br /><br /><i>The copy I presented my mom was inscribed, "please do not read this book." As there are some "gritty" passages :)</i><br /><br />Now see, that would make my mom read it all the faster.Suzanne Ferrellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05761579189372602292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-90208933766690281662010-11-29T18:07:43.664-05:002010-11-29T18:07:43.664-05:00Hi Grant! Congratulations on the success of your ...Hi Grant! Congratulations on the success of your book. I hope it makes it to the big screen. Sounds like it has the makings of a fantastic movie.<br /><br />I'm fascinated by stories like this. I do think, in many cases, that people are drawn to darkness, or weakness, in others. It feeds something in their soul and causes them to seek out that type of person while, in too many cases, hating themselves for doing so. Can make for some volatile situations. <br /><br />I agree with Donna that in many cases, those seeds of darkness are evident in adolescence or even in young children. I had a random encounter with an eight year old at a soccer match that absolutely terrified me. From that one, brief encounter, I walked away shaken and thinking to myself that I won't be at all surprised if I one day see his name connected to a horrendous crime.pjpuppymomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18234101901405553621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-39731392288746370262010-11-29T16:34:22.414-05:002010-11-29T16:34:22.414-05:00Helen, Your comment about folks learning how to c...Helen, Your comment about folks learning how to cover up these kind of problems really jarred me. Here's why: I am currently working on a novel about a woman who conceals a major problem, a significant mental health issue that consumes her life. The woman's name? Helen.Grant Jerkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716473051079915219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-71532523913779181162010-11-29T15:24:23.138-05:002010-11-29T15:24:23.138-05:00Well done Christie what are your plans for him tod...Well done Christie what are your plans for him today<br /><br />Grant<br /><br />This sounds like a very intriguing book. I haven't had much to do with people that have had problems like this that I know of although I am sure that they learn to cover these things pretty well sometimes.<br /><br />Congrats on the book<br /><br />Have Fun<br />HelenHelenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03984438742736003285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-52092066532893090542010-11-29T14:57:59.727-05:002010-11-29T14:57:59.727-05:00Grant, it's reassuring to know books that don&...Grant, it's reassuring to know books that don't fit the mold or are "difficult" can find a home.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13705259501965011703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-46768900496635597662010-11-29T12:51:22.991-05:002010-11-29T12:51:22.991-05:00Jo said "There's always the fear that in ...Jo said "There's always the fear that in exploring someone else's darkness, we'll resurrect or initiate something in ourselves that we don't want or like. That fear seems to diminish with age." -- Well said! And scary. We sometimes play with fire.Grant Jerkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716473051079915219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-18610173912062268782010-11-29T12:49:14.210-05:002010-11-29T12:49:14.210-05:00Jo, Thanks for all insightful thoughts. And LOL yo...Jo, Thanks for all insightful thoughts. And LOL your sons and the Do Not Read instructions. At least not until they are 50. Someone in my immediate family married a woman with (undiagnosed) biploar. It can be a devastating illness that impacts the entire family.Grant Jerkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716473051079915219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-91689781209669602822010-11-29T12:44:26.407-05:002010-11-29T12:44:26.407-05:00Thank you Trish. Great comment.Thank you Trish. Great comment.Grant Jerkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716473051079915219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-3328716177236534262010-11-29T12:41:36.154-05:002010-11-29T12:41:36.154-05:00So many great comments going on here. In regard to...So many great comments going on here. In regard to Donna/Jo/Nancy and dark characters, Nancy said "we expect the hero's darkness and danger to have goodness at the core." That was the essence of my problems with getting this book published. There is no goodness at anybody's core. Which probably sounds like a turn-off, but somehow I think you still end up caring about the characters. I think there is room for a variety of experiences.Grant Jerkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03716473051079915219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-41401903339249457142010-11-29T11:59:53.620-05:002010-11-29T11:59:53.620-05:00Jo, I think there are a fair number of young guys,...Jo, I think there are a fair number of young guys, and some young women, who have problems with females in authority. I've taught some of them. I had expected there would be far fewer by the 21st century!<br /><br />You were talking to Donna, not to me, but I agree that in a romance, we expect the hero's darkness and danger to have goodness at the core.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13705259501965011703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-46508779612863699652010-11-29T11:49:32.739-05:002010-11-29T11:49:32.739-05:00Donna said, ". I hadn't thought about the...Donna said, ". I hadn't thought about them having a potential for attraction but I suppose that's a possiblility - just not for me (grin)."<br /><br />Don't you think, Donna, that many romance readers enjoy characters that SEEM dark and dangerous, and maybe the heroine is drawn to that, but the reader knows that in the end, the hero will have goodness beneath that veneer of darkness or danger?jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3815530646091177574.post-4730269858972141282010-11-29T11:44:55.836-05:002010-11-29T11:44:55.836-05:00Hey, Grant, forgot to congratulate you on your gre...Hey, Grant, forgot to congratulate you on your great reviews and the movie option. Such honors!jo robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16824237193217632098noreply@blogger.com